Elk City, Oklahoma Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elk City, Oklahoma had a total population of 11,361, the 41st largest city in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $51,272, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.4% is notably above the national average.
Elk City Quick Facts
How Elk City Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,406 | 11,361 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $49,500 | $51,272 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $165,300 | $150,400 | -9.0% |
How Elk City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elk City Rankings in Oklahoma
Explore Oklahoma Rankings
Other Cities in Beckham County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sayre | 4,796 | $41,227 | 43.8% | $77,400 |
| Erick | 799 | $32,955 | 37.5% | $82,300 |
| Carter | 210 | $65,313 | 16.7% | $80,000 |
| Sweetwater | 108 | $55,208 | 0.0% | $106,900 |
| Texola | 22 | $96,429 | 0.0% | $335,700 |
Cities Similar to Elk City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guthrie | 11,243 | $53,457 | $186,600 | 26.6% | 19.4% |
| Woodward | 11,882 | $54,463 | $157,800 | 18.6% | 17.2% |
| Weatherford | 12,004 | $54,704 | $232,600 | 40.9% | 20.3% |
| Warr Acres | 10,466 | $53,273 | $164,500 | 22.9% | 19.0% |
| Okmulgee | 11,348 | $41,848 | $98,400 | 14.3% | 20.6% |
Population Overview
Elk City is a small city located in Oklahoma, within Beckham County. The total population is 11,361. It ranks as the 41st most populous out of 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elk City is 36.4 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elk City is $51,272. This is 21% lower than the state median of $65,039. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.8%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.4%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $150,400. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $199,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Elk City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 65.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elk City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.3%. The Black or African American population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.
Education
14.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 28.3%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elk City, Oklahoma is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Oklahoma state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Elk City, Oklahoma?
Elk City, Oklahoma has a population of 11,361 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elk City, OK?
The median household income in Elk City is $51,272, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elk City, OK?
The poverty rate in Elk City is 22.8%. This means approximately 2,564 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elk City, Oklahoma?
Elk City's population is 74.2% White, 2.1% Black, 18.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elk City, OK?
The median home value in Elk City is $150,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Elk City, Oklahoma?
14.5% of adults (25+) in Elk City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.